Passport for Travel

“Life is a daring adventure or nothing.” – Helen Keller

Getting a Passport

( The resources in this section are focused on obtaining an American passport for travel. )

America has the lowest number of passports for travel issued per capita than any other developed nation. By deciding to get your passport, you are stepping forward and declaring yourself as more than just average!

Because of the new requirements put into effect for homeland security, getting a passport can take up to eight weeks or more — apply for yours immediately once you decide to travel ! Add additional time if you need to have your birth certificate reissued. Begin this process first, before the rest of your trip planning.

Where do I get a passport for travel?  Nearly any U.S. Post office will process your passport. Passports are no longer issued outside of the U.S. If you lose your passport while abroad, the embassy cannot help you — your trip is over!

You can search here for authorized passport facilities.

What is required?

• A passport form is available here

• Proof of US citizenship (birth certificate)

• Photo Identification (drivers license, student ID, etc)

• Two qualifying passport-quality photos of yourself (many post offices can take these for you). Don’t try to create these yourself or your application may be rejected without a refund.

What if I can’t find my birth certificate?

• You can request a birth certificate here.

After I get my passport in the Mail?

• Take care of your passport! If your passport shows abuse or the picture fades, officials may raise eyebrows at border crossings and may even deny you entry.

• American passports are hot items on the black market. Store your passport in a safe or lock box when it isn’t on your body.

• Complete the inside of your passport in pencil so that information can be changed later if necessary.

• DO NOT LOSE your passport!

• Did we mention not to lose it?

Get more information on the: Official US passport information page

Go to Step 2: Planning Travel

Visa for Travel

“Don’t take life too seriously…no one comes out alive!” – Elbert Hubbard

Visa for Travel

A visa for travel is a stamp or sticker that goes inside your passport; they allow you access into a country.

Some countries — such as most in Europe — do not require a travel visa at all, while other countries such as China and Vietnam require that you have a visa already issued before you arrive. A country can even detain you in the airport and put you back on the plane if you did not obtain proper permission to enter in the form of a visa for travel. Do a little research!

Do I Need a Visas for Travel?

Unfortunately, there is no cut and dry answer to this question. To make matters worse, visa requirements can change for countries every year or so, so make sure your source of information is reliable.

The best way to find out is to go to each destination’s embassy website to see the visa requirements for your country of citizenship. Different countries of origin may have different travel visa requirements, so you cannot always take another traveler’s word for it.

Travel Visa Resources:

Visas for travel requirements for US citizens can be found here.

Visas on Arrival

Many friendly countries offer a “visa on arrival.” This means that you may obtain the necessary visa once you arrive at their airport or border crossing. The length of these visas are typically 30 days, but can be as little as two weeks or as long as one year! Many times you will be asked to provide at least one passport-sized photo of yourself; carry extra photos in your money pouch just in case.

Sometimes you should obtain your visa for travel in your home country before arrival at your destination, even if it is offered on arrival. This will help you avoid long lines in the airports, and may grant you a longer stay before your visa expires and you have to make a border crossing known to many as the dreaded “visa run.”

To get visas for travel you typically have to mail your passport — a frightening concept — along with the completed forms to the country’s embassy in your home country. They will stamp your passport, collect a fee, and mail it back to you. If you choose this option, pay the extra for certified mail with tracking options. If nothing else, you’ll get some peace of mind if your passport is a few days late coming back.

Visa Rules and Regulations

The visa requirements in some countries can be daunting. In many cases, many of the rules are not enforced. One such rule is the “onward ticket” requirement. The claim is that you must show proof of a means to exit the country before you are allowed in. This is rarely enforced, and many travelers buy a one-way ticket then exit via a border crossing overland to visit neighboring countries. For instance, you fly into Thailand which has the onward ticket requirement and plan to cross into Cambodia by bus.

Many times laws are in place to give the officials a mechanism to deny who they want. Showing adequate proof of funds — which may simply be a valid credit card or US $100 cash — will do the trick. For more peace of mind, check the backpacking forums to hear from other travelers and their experiences.

Border etiquette

Some border officials are nicer than others. If you catch one on a bad day, they DO have the option of throwing some outdated law at you or making your life difficult. Believe it or not, appearance does matter, and simply cleaning up before you cross a border can make your life easier. Remember that the agent’s twitchy stamp hand could change your entire trip; so smile, be polite even in the face of their insensitivity, and follow directions closely — especially when filling out the forms.

You will often be asked routine questions at the border such as “What is your business here?” and “What is your occupation?”. These guys are hardly interested in your life story or even an accurate answer, so just give honest-yet-short answers; be confident! Save yourself some effort by not mentioning that you are “vagabonding” which will probably bring more questions. Simply state that you are visiting on holiday as a tourist. If you are unemployed, say that you are a student. We are all students of life.

• Read these tips for crossing land borders easily.

Other Travel Visa Considerations

• Getting a visa for travel stamp in your passport for Israel may make entering Arab countries more difficult later. Jordan and Egypt are still allowing entry at this time, but other Arab countries will discriminate against you for having the Israeli stamp. Some travelers have them put the stamp on a piece of paper that is stapled inside of the passport, then tear it out later. Do not try to remove or mutilate the stamp if it goes into your passport, the entire passport could be declared invalid!

• Border officials are legendary wasters of passport pages. In fact, I am certain that they are sent to a special school that teaches them how to place a stamp just right to take up maximum room in your passport. Although having every page in your passport stamped is certainly a goal to aim for, it can also mean having to get a new passport before your next trip!

• China — despite their efforts at globalization — is still a highly bureaucratic communist country. When filling out the application, avoid mentioning Tibet or other areas of controversy. Also, “journalists” may require a special visa for fear that you will spread the unedited and non-government-approved truth about the interior of the country.

• Beware of “administrative boundaries” in countries. For instance, traveling from the Chinese mainland to Hong Kong or Macau, counts as leaving the country and uses your one-entry on a travel visa. You have to pay more for multiple entries if you wish to return back to the mainland

In Conclusion

Relax! Crossing a border, especially if it is your first trip, can be a nervous experience. There may be guards with machine guns and lots of guys in uniform. Unless you are carrying a backpack full of drugs (don’t even think about it!) you have nothing to worry about, and will most likely be welcomed into a new country.

 

Go to Step 4: Vaccinations for Travel

Vaccinations for travel

“Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth.” – Buddha

Vaccinations for Travel

So that we don’t feed the lawyers: This info is not to take the place of advice from a real doctor, eat your vegetables, look both ways, etc…

Are Vaccinations for Travel Really Necessary?

No one enjoys needles, and paying for those vaccinations with your own money adds even more insult! However, most of the nasties you can get while traveling will last a lifetime, some will kill you sooner — get vaccinated!

Have I met lots of travelers who never got a single vaccination? Sure. You may survive just fine, or you may get an unhealthy dose of incurable hepatitis beating up your liver.

The problem is that even if you do things correct such as not drinking the local water, do you think that local restaurants wash dishes in bottled watered? One bead of water on a wet plate could contain human feces — and viruses such as hepatitis — without you knowing.

Personal Experience: I was actually living in DengFeng, China, when a Typhoid epidemic broke out in 2007. A quarantine zone was created, and a couple of people at my Kung Fu school became deathly ill. It was a scary time, no doubt, but I was able to sleep a little better than the other guys at night knowing that I had been immunized. Needless to say, I got my money’s worth out of my vaccinations for travel.

Sometimes proof of a particular vaccination — such as yellow fever — is required before you will be allowed a visa into a country. This is especially true in South America and parts of Africa. Keeping good record of what you received and when can save you pain and money!

The good news is that most of the immunizations last for five or even 10 years, so this is something you have do not do too often.

How Do I Get Vaccinations For Travel?

Usually you will have to visit your local travel clinic to get vaccinations. Don’t wait too long to make an appointment! Sometimes — as in the case of the hepatitis shots — you have to wait 30 days between injections, and then another 30 days for it to have an effect. Don’t wait until the last minute to schedule your appointment — start early!

How Much Do Travel Vaccinations Cost?

Some of the vaccinations for travel can be surprisingly expensive. Japanese Encephalitis, a shot sometimes recommended for rural areas of Southeast Asia, can be $80.00 a shot, and requires a set of three! The problem with travel clinic doctors is that they will always err on the safe side and recommend everything in the book.

I was recommended a rabies shot — which I declined — just because there are a lot of stray dogs in Thailand. Do your own research, and make an educated decision. Average costs of a trip to Southeast Asia, with no prior immunizations: US$250 – $400.  Considering that many of these diseases are completely incurable and could afflict you for the rest of your life, vaccinations can be well worth the cost.

If you are heading to Thailand, check out these Vaccinations for Thailand.

Your health insurance may cover some of the shots or just the anti-malarial tablets. It is definitely worth a call to them to review your policy. Sometimes hepatitis-A and polio are covered.

If you do not have health insurance at home, at least consider getting a disaster policy with a very high deductible ($5,000 dollars). The monthly cost is cheap and covers you if you get run over by a tuk-tuk. Your travel insurance will only cover you while abroad; once you return home, you will have to pay for further treatment out of pocket.

• If you are leaving your job and need some high-deductible, personal coverage, EHealthInsurance.com can give you a quick quote.

If you have been in the armed forces or worked as a public servant (i.e., fireman, policeman, or nurse) you undoubtedly received some of these vaccinations for travel already. Researching your prior immunization records could save you money.

Which Vaccinations For Travel Do I Need?

Obviously we are not the final authority, but regardless of your destination, these are good basic immunizations to get which will protect you from a lot of nasties in developing countries.:

Hepatitis A	Useful everywhere and good for 10 years. Usually requires two shots. Definitely get this one!
Hepatitis B	Same as Hep-A, good for 10 years, but requires three injections. Make sure you get this one as well. Some clinics combine the two hepatitis shots.
Tetanus+	Good for 10 years. You probably received this in school, but if it has been over 10 years, get another one. Tetanus is often combined with Diphtheria.

Other common vaccinations to consider for developing areas like Southeast Asia or South America:

Japanese Encephalitis	A nasty brain swelling disease that is carried by mosquitoes. Found in rural areas. This is unfortunately an expensive and painful series, but sometimes recommended if you will spend a lot of time in the countryside. Requires three shots.
Typhoid Fever	The good news about this one is that you can take pills instead of getting jabbed! Pills are good for 5 years; injection is good for three years.
Yellow Fever	Required if you plan to travel South America and parts of Africa. Carry proof of the vaccination with you in your passport or money belt. Not required for South East Asia.

Research what vaccinations for travel are required or recommended for your countries on the CDC Website or the World Health Organization website.

TIP: Keep a record of your vaccinations in a folder. You will never be able to remember which ones you received five or 10 years later; getting duplicates is a waste of money.

Even though it is tempting to skip the return visit to a clinic once you get home – GET YOUR BOOSTER SHOTS WHEN NEEDED! Otherwise, you may have to start an entire series of shots over again just to guarantee immunity. There are better things to spend your hard-saved travel funds on!

Malaria

Taking anti-malarials is hit or miss. A doctor will tell you to do so, I have not taken them in five years of rough travel and have been fine. Even still, every time you are bitten by a mosquito at night you play a little Russian Roulette with your bloodstream.

Read more about Malaria information for travelers on our site and how to avoid insect bites. You can only get malaria if you are bitten in the first place.

Dengue Fever

This is a very common yet usually not-fatal disease that is carried by mosquitoes. The mosquitoes have white and black markings and can be found all over Southeast Asia, Central and South America, Australia, and islands in the Pacific. Although Dengue will not kill you, it will certainly make you hate life for a few weeks, and may even end your trip completely.

There is no Dengue vaccination for travel at this time, but being smart and avoiding mosquito bites whenever possible can greatly reduce your chances for becoming infected.

What Else?

Some travelers opt for a pre-departure checkup. This is your choice, obviously a good bet if you are not feeling well before long term travel.

• If you take a regular prescription medicine, make sure you have enough to cover you for your trip.

• Keep a copy of the prescription with the medicine so that you will not raise eyebrows with a load of pills coming through customs. Keep the pills in the original, labeled bottles if possible.

• If you wear contacts, take along your glasses and prescription as a backup in case you lose one. Many of the environments will be extremely dusty during the dry seasons, which will be a nightmare for contact lenses.

• You might want to see a dentist.  Don’t wait until the last minute in case you need several appointments to get a problem fixed.If you are in Southeast Asia, Bangkok has great dentistry. Read about Thailand dental.

In Summary

Don’t be depressed after reading about all the nasties out there. Chances are that you will feel more alive and healthier than ever thanks to exercise, sunshine, and lack of television! As always, survival is a matter of playing it smart and not taking stupid chances with the trip of a lifetime.

Check out the backpacking medicine section on our site for tips about staying healthy while vagabonding.

 

Go to Step 5: How to Find a Cheap Flight

How to find cheap flights

How to find cheap flights

So it has come down to the point of “no return” for planning your trip. Unless you spend the extra on a refundable ticket, you are about to take a bold step forward and seal the deal on your trip.

If you ask 10 people on a flight what they paid for their ticket, you will get 10 very different answers. How to find a cheap flight has become something of a dark art. Use these tips and secrets to find the best deals.

Finding Cheap Flights

An abundance of ticket-booking websites out there can help you find cheap international flights. There are also additional things that you can do to leverage these tools more than the average traveler.

Here are some insider secrets:

• Try to find cheap flights 21 – 45 days in advance. Other than last minute deals, you will pay more as your date to leave approaches. Sometimes buying too soon months in advance also makes for higher prices.

• Sometimes unsold seats are drastically discounted 2 days before departure.

• Never, ever fly on weekends! Try to fly on a Monday morning, Tuesday, or Wednesday.

• Try not to fly within 7 days before or after a holiday. Check your destination’s local holidays and festivals as well.

• If you are buying a round trip ticket, staying longer than 90 days usually results in a higher fare. Check on just buying two 1-way tickets instead for the extra flexibility.  You can also set a fictional return date and pay the change fee later.  Caution: deliberately skipping your return flight will get you blacklisted on some airlines.

• You may find cheap flights after midnight EST in the middle of the week. This is when airline databases are updated and sometimes you can grab a cheap ticket that has been returned back to the system.

• Search for flights at all times throughout the day, you never know when a cheap ticket has been released to the system.

• Take a bus (try megabus.com) or hitch a ride to the closest major airport hub.

• Make sure your luggage is not over sized or overweight. Check individual airline sites for rules, some charge for a carry-on now.

• Flights with longer layovers usually have lower price tags.

• Early morning redeye flights are more painful bur are usually cheaper.

• Fly into the largest city on the continent you are visiting. Take budget airline hops or travel overland from there to reach your destination. For instance, it may be cheaper to fly into Brussels (a major business hub) and then hitch your way to Amsterdam rather than flying straight there.

• Always use frequent flier programs. It may take years, but the miles DO add up and may come in handy in the future.

• Being as flexible as possible can help you find a cheap flight. Do not specify flight times, number of stops, etc.

• Never buy refundable tickets if they cost more – your backpacking travel insurance may have trip cancellation coverage anyway.

How to find cheap flights?

Try these websites first:

• Kayak.com – Kayak is a site that searches lots of other ticketing sites, one of my personal favorites because it turns up low fares consistently.

• Priceline.com – bid your own price on airfare for cheap deals or you can do regular flight searches. Flights must originate in the US, but sometimes you can grab tickets on clearance through the auctions.

Other options for booking discount tickets:

• Expedia.com – Great all around travel booking site

 

• CheapoAir.com – Great airfare to Asia and Europe.

 

• Travelocity.com – use the “flexible ticket” option to get deals on domestic flights.

 

• Hotwire.com – Good deals on flights, hotels, and rental cars.

 

• Cheaptickets.com – a long time favorite of budget travelers.

• Skyscanner.net – very interesting twist.

• Sidestep.com – much like kayak.com.

• Cheapoair.com – good deals on international flights here.

Once you find a cheap flight, go to that carrier’s website and search for the same flight to compare prices. Sometimes you can get the exact same flight direct from the airline minus a $10 – $15 markup fee added on by the ticketing site. Also, by going direct to the airline you eliminate some potential slips like not receiving credit for your frequent flier miles.  Some airlines such as Southwest don’t release tickets to the databases.

Refundable Tickets

Most tickets that normal travelers purchase are stamped “non-refundable”. If you are buying your ticket well in advance like many do, this sounds a little scary. What if something comes up? What if someone gets sick? Here are some things to keep in mind:

• It is not worth the price difference to make a ticket “refundable.”

• Your travel insurance may come with a trip cancellation policy which means that you can get your money back. Some are based on medical reasons and some are non-conditional.

Just because an airline says that a cheap flight ticket is non-refundable, sometimes they are!

There are usually stipulations which they may or may not tell you about for medical problems, etc. Clearing houses and ticket consolidators are infamous for this – they will almost always issue a refund if you contact them with your sob story within 24 hours of departure. They may charge you a steep “change fee” but it is still better than loosing the face value of the ticket.

Regardless, if you cannot go on your trip for some reason – tell the airline in advance! You will not get any refund at all if you do not notify them prior to departure. Also, they will be needlessly paging your name in the airport and maybe some poor vagabond on standby can have your seat!

What about RTW tickets?

RTW stands for “around the world” ticket and is a special ticket that allows you three or more stops along a route that you choose. There are usually strict rules in place such as making sure that all the stops are in the same direction, time allowances, etc. If you are planning a real RTW trip, this may be the way to go to save money. Otherwise, you are sacrificing some flexibility in your plans.

Different airlines have different rules, so research the ticket thoroughly. One thing to note is what happens if you have to come home for an emergency after having used only 1 or 2 of the stops.

Check out Bootsnall’s RTW trip planning tool.

What about trains?

Trains were once the method of choice for travel around Europe. They still are a useful and very enjoyable means of travel, but the truth is that with the advent of new budget airlines, you can fly find a cheap flight!

Booking train tickets can be more complicated than booking flights, so its nice to have some outside help. Here are some resources:

 

• Railpass.com
• RailEurope.com
• RailKey.com

 

Budget Airlines

Budget airlines are a new no-frills, “mostly” reliable way to travel, particularly around Europe and Africa. Many times you can get a cheap flight for less than a bus, train, or sometimes taxi! This is made possible because the governments in popular destinations subsidize the airlines to bring in tourists.

Check WikiPedia for a list of Budget Airlines.  The US has some good new budget airlines like JetBlue.

Here are some things to remember:

• You get what you pay for. The queues are longer, seating is chaos, and delays happen.

• Don’t even think about a free meal or beverage – bring your own snacks!

• Luggage size and weight restrictions may be more strict than regular airlines and the penalties are stiff.

• Allow plenty of time at the airport check-in and gate, they save money by hiring less attendants. Use online check-in if it is offered.

• There is fierce competition between these airlines. You can cash in by signing up for newsletters or checking their sites frequently for new deals and specials, many sometimes offer flights under US $2! (taxes are additional)

• Some routes are shut down during the low seasons because of lack of passengers.

• The same philosophy applies as regular airlines – the sooner you buy your ticket the better the deal.

In conclusion

Nothing beats the feeling that you get when you click the “buy” button on that expensive ticket. Regardless of whether this is your first trip or not, you will feel the excitement and adrenaline sweep through your body. You are now on your way!

Got your own insider tip on how to find cheap flights?  Leave a comment!

Go to Step 6: Backpacking Travel Insurance

Backpacking Travel Insurance

 

“All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.” – Martin Buber

Backpacking Travel Insurance

During my travels, I met some backpackers that opted not to travel with backpacking travel insurance. I also met a few that were forced to use their insurance for some reason or another. Thankfully most of the injuries were minor, but many used their coverage for stolen bags and cameras.

For the value, travel insurance with Insureandgo is cheap for backpackers. Backpacking travel insurance is much cheaper than staying home and paying for health insurance!. Unless you plan to sit in the TV room at the hostel for your entire trip, its a pretty good idea to get at some type over coverage.

Why?
It could cost $100K to evacuate you back to your home country if you are seriously injured.

Once you are brought home, your travel insurance stops and all treatment will go onto your health insurance. The bill will not be pretty.  If you do not have cheap health insurance at home (ie..you quit your job for this trip), then consider at least getting a free quote on a high deductible policy for emergencies from eHealthInsurance.com.

Some damn good reasons for getting backpacking travel insurance:

• More people get hurt in simple bus accidents than in extreme sports like rock climbing.

• The #1 cause of fatalities and injuries to Americans while traveling is automobile accidents. (cnn.com) That won’t be a surprise if you have ever seen the way they drive in Beijing, Cairo, or India.

• Many policies cover your backpack if it is lost or stolen, as well as things like your IPOD and camera.

• Many policies cover your trip in the event that you have to cancel for some reason.

• Backpacker insurance is typically far cheaper than health insurance.

• You will not be spending most of your time watching TV or sitting in an office.  While traveling, you will be more active and more exposed to the chance for minor injuries.

• You may want to use the coverage for small, unexpected things you pick up while traveling – like this parasite that infected my travel mate’s bare foot in Laos.

Before you buy backpacking travel insurance

Make sure the company provides coverage for any adventures you think you want to do, like white water rafting, rock climbing, and trekking. If you are going to Nepal, check to see that there are no altitude restrictions in the policy. World Nomads, one of the leading insurers, has a useful adventure tool telling what they do and do not cover.

It is very nice to get a policy that allows you to extend coverage instantly online in case you decide to stay longer.

Planning to do a lot of extreme sports? Another type of insurance that many don’t consider before embarking on an adventurous trip is disability insurance. Long term or short term disability insurance quotes can be easily found online.

How do I get travel insurance for my backpacking trip?

World Nomads is one of the best choices for backpackers and adventure travelers. They also have blogs, language podcasts, and other bonus goodies not expected!  This company is ran by travelers and they go out of their way to work with travelers.

Get an instant quote from World Nomads

InsureMyTrip.com is another great way to get an instant quote (free, of course) and coverage options from 18 different companies.

 

Go to Step 7: Travel Preparation

Travel Preparation

Travel Preparation

There is no doubt, you are about to start a journey – one that may change the way you live and think forever. It is important to do travel preparation at home so that you can confidently step into the unknown and enjoy every second of it.

The following section will help you through doing small things at home, pre-packing, and organizing so you do not have to worry while you are gone.

Preparing for travel

You will want to be as self-sufficient as possible while you are gone. This includes taking care of your own emergencies if needed.

Travel preparation on the computer

Free Email
Grab a free web-based email account like Yahoo, Hotmail, or Gmail for your trip. If you do not have an account, grab a free one for use while you travel. An account such as Yahoo that offers a free online notepad feature comes in handy for recording information that you might need while on the road.

Security
Plan to change your password frequently, as you might be using dodgey internet cafes that have software to grab passwords. If you keep personal information in the account, edit account numbers or credit card numbers with your own security theme, such as adding +1 to every digit or adding a bogus string of numbers at the end. If your account is compromised, the account numbers will only make sense to you.

Save Time
You may find yourself paying by the minute for internet access in cafes with slow computers. Build up email lists of people to send travel updates to, rather than sending many emails. Also hide inside your account (either using the notepad or by sending yourself an email) the phone numbers of friends and family. This is a good idea even if you are carrying a mobile phone, in case it doesn’t survive the trip!

Get a travel Blog
A great alternative to sending mass emails is to keep a travel blog. A blog is an online journal of your experiences that others can read. They are free, and you will love going back and reading it yourself one day. You can get a free one from Bootsnall.

Build a Homepage
If you have the know-how, consider building a homepage about your travels. You can host your own blog, pictures, and whatever else you want without anyone else’s ads. Have a look at my vagabonding blog as an example. GoDaddy.com is great for cheap domain names but HostGator will give you more personalize support and hosting.

Domain names are like real estate, once a name is taken, it is gone. Even if you do not have plans to build a website now, you might want to consider registering your name just to hold for later – it is worth the $7

Travel Preparation Paperwork

Create a folder or binder for your parents, roommate, or whoever you trust to look after your business while you are gone. Inside, put important documents like your flight itinerary, travel insurance policy, account numbers, blank checks, etc. This will enable them to have everything in one place in case you have a request or emergency. At least include a tentative list of countries you will be visiting and embassy contact info for each.

Things to put inside your travel binder

• Your flight itinerary
• Numbers for embassies for all the countries you might be visiting  (you can find them easy on this website)
• Copies of your credit cards that you are carrying, front and back
• Serial numbers for any traveler’s checks that you are carrying
• A couple signed, blank checks for unexpected bills that come while you are away
• Your travel insurance policy and information
• A copy of your passport ID page
• Your vaccinations records
• Phone number for your usual vet if you have any pets
• Any misc instructions to handle affairs while you are gone

Leave the binder at home with a VERY trustworthy person that you can contact during an emergency.

Travel Preparation for Yourself

• Make copies of your travel insurance contact information, passport, and credit cards (front and back). Use a photocopier that can reduce things down to half size so that you will have miniatures to put in your money belt. (You also may be able to take pictures of them and re-print them smaller)

• Put a copy of your passport somewhere (in your backpack, etc) in case your actual passport gets lost or stolen. On the back of the copy, write the embassy phone numbers for all your destinations. Record the numbers and customer support number of any traveler’s checks that you decide to carry as well.

• Make several copies of your passport and carry them with you to give out whenever someone wants to keep your real passport for whatever reason. (ie…guesthouses, motorbike rentals, etc)

• Put in a forwarding order or hold order for your mail at the post office if necessary. It may take a few days to go through but is good for up to 1 year.

Travel Preparation: Setting up finances

Credit cards

• Visa and Mastercard are more widely accepted than the other cards, but AMEX is great for booking flights because of the bonus reward points that you receive from airlines. Don’t plan on making this your main source of cash because many vendors will charge you a hefty markup for using plastic (if they even have the ability to accept charge cards).

• Contact the customer support for any credit cards that you intend to carry and tell them to put on record that you will be traveling abroad. This will keep them from suspending the card because they see suspicious charges popping up on the other side of the planet! Ask if there are any additional exchange fees for using them abroad.

• Ask them for international contact numbers (you may not be able to dial 1-800 numbers while overseas). If the card gets lost or stolen, you will need these to cancel it as soon as possible.

• Set up online bill paying for your cards so that you can manage your accounts online while you are gone.

• If possible, set up automatic billing for any regular monthly bills you receive. Have them billed directly to a credit card that you can manage and pay online. Not only will you accumulate points for freebies later, it eliminates the need for someone to write checks for you.

ATM Cards
ATM cards are the best way to get local currency in almost every country. You will get the current exchange rate usually with a very small currency exchange fee (such as 1%) added on. Try to take an ATM card that is not also a “check card” which allows use without a PIN number. There are less security measures with these types of cards. If you choose to take one, you may be safer opening a new bank account specifically for travel that is not tied to your other accounts (opt out of overdraft protection).

Traveler’s checks

Traveler’s checks are a good option if you need to carry a large amount of backup cash, don’t have a credit card, or just want to diversify your finances a little. I found myself on an island with no cash because the network link to all the ATM machines was down for 3 days! Traveler’s checks came to the rescue. If you decide to take them, buy larger denominations ($50) because you are charged a fee for every check that you cash. Record the serial numbers and keep them in your email account in case they are lost or stolen.

Making phone calls

It is a given that you will want to call home at some point to check up on things. If not just for the sound of a familiar and friendly voice, then to make sure your goldfish is still alive.

If done incorrectly, making international calls can get expensive. Here are some suggestions for doing it right.

• Skype – Available in internet cafes everywhere, Skype allows you to make calls across the internet for pennies a minute. You just sign for a free account, which enables you to call other Skype enabled computers. If you want to call land lines or mobile phones, you have to fund your account with a minimum of US$10 – which will last a surprisingly long time. Get a free Skype account here.

• Calling Cards are also available in many places, such as 7-11. Always choose a card type that you are sure has pay phones in the area that support it. Also, watch for scams such as connection fees and pay phone/mobile phone calling fees. Cards that use the term “credits” rather than “minutes” are notorious for this. If the attendant speaks English, find out what code you need to prepend to a number to make an international call. ComFi.com offers good rates on international prepaid cards.

• Local Mobile Phones are another option if you are going to be in an area for quite a while. Most phone plans outside of the US are pre-paid and you can add minutes either on the internet or at kiosks. With a GSM enabled phone, you can purchase SIM cards which usually include minutes for each country that you enter. There is a lot of good information on unlocking GSM phones and using them internationally here.

• Do your family a favor and use calling collect as an absolutely last option (it is expensive!)

Other Travel Preparations

• Make arrangements to park your car long term while you are gone. If you will be gone during hot weather, it may be worth buying a sun visor to put in the window to lower the temperature inside. It is best to park the vehicle with a full tank of gas and to add fuel stabilizer (available at any auto store) to the tank if you will be gone over a month.

• Contact your auto insurance and give them a date to put your policy into “park” mode. This will greatly reduce your premiums on a vehicle that is not being driven. In some states you need to contact the local government to tell them that you will be suspending insurance on a vehicle, otherwise they may think that you are driving it without coverage.

• Contact your mobile phone carrier to see if they can put your plan into a suspended mode. If you keep the phone, be smart and don’t change your voice mail bragging that you will be “out of the country for months”…not good if you are leaving valuables behind.

• If someone is looking after your pets, start making visits to get the animals comfortable with the new person, and the new person familiar with what makes the animals happy.

Safety

If you are American and happen to be traveling to a place with political unrest, a history of violence (past or recent), or just want to play it safe – go register your trip with the State Dept. It only takes a few minutes and lets them have a general idea of who they would need to evacuate if something unexpected did go down in one of the countries you were visiting.

https://travelregistration.state.gov

Record the numbers of the embassies in different places that you are going.  Keep them someplace safe or in a free email account online.

Go to Step 8: Trip Purchases

Trip Purchases

Trip Purchases

Now comes the really fun part. Fun for you, but not for your travel funds if you are not careful. There are a multitude of products out there (a majority that you really do not need) that target travelers. It is natural to have a tendency to over-prepare for your first big trip out of the country. Use this part of the guide as a reality check and to help make your pre-trip purchases.

List your planned trip purchases

Don’t even think about going to the store without a list! If you wander around looking for things that “might be useful for your trip” you will end up with a load of useless items left behind once the packing commences.

Remember HOW MUCH you bring will dictate your trip experience rather than WHAT you bring.

• A heavy backpack is a burden that will severely limit your potential for adventure.

• A bulging backpack will make you a bigger target for thieves.

• Do not bring anything that you care about getting lost, broken, or stolen.

Remember that you will probably be able to buy many things locally for less. Plus it helps an economy that needs the money more than Wal-Mart.

If you haven’t already, take a look at our backpacking packing list before shopping.

Choosing a backpack

This is the primary trip purchase that you may want to splurge on ($150 – $200). Throughout your adventure, your backpack will be your “house”, your companion, and your life. Choose one carefully and use your own judgment, not just based on the advice of a sales person.

• Buy a medium or small (55 – 60 liters) pack. This is a guaranteed way to take less!

• The sales person may try to sell you the largest pack with the most bells and whistles. Make your own decision!

• Buy internal framed backpacks only. You do not need things hanging off your pack like a gypsy!

• The 2 most vulnerable (and important) parts on a backpack are the straps and the zippers. Make sure that both are as tough and rugged as possible.

• Try to stay away from obnoxious colors that will only get the attention of touts and thieves!

• Have the sales person load the pack with 30 pounds (about 15 kilos) of weights. They will fit the straps for proper placement on your back.

• You should be able to look up at the sky without hitting the back of your head on the backpack.

• Most of the detachable daybag features are pointless, you will probably want a proper daybag.

There is nothing wrong with picking up a used backpack to save money for other trip purchases. They can be found quite easily as people return from a big trip and no longer use them.

Lots of students come home from gap years or need cash after travel and sell their backpacks cheap – try looking on Travel Backpacks (www.buytravelbackpacks.com) which has info for choosing the right backpack and searches Ebay for deals on used backpacks.

What shoes to purchase:

Your feet are your most valuable asset when wandering around the world. With the added weight of a backpack and the environmental dangers to your feet, footwear is your second most important trip purchase.

• Shoes are heavy and bulky. Plan on packing only one pair of proper shoes + some flip flops or sandals.

• Choose a neutral, dark color and a style that can serve as both adventure and “going out” shoes.

• Avoid expensive flip-flops (anything over $15) because they may get swapped or “borrowed” when you leave them outside.

• Get shoes that are water-resistant. Choose a material that will not smell once it gets wet. Pick “low top” styles that are not too heavy.

• The foot-beds in some shoes (even expensive approach shoes) is too thin and inadequate. You may want to replace it.

• If you choose a shoe with laces, the ones that connect the laces to the rest of the shoe with metal rings are best.

Best Travel Digital Cameras

Unless you are a professional or want the burden of keeping a SLR camera in one piece, get something small and rugged enough to go into your front pocket. This will keep it handy for unexpected opportunities and also conceal it so that no one gets any ideas.

• Get several large memory cards (2 – 4GB; I opt for the high-speed cards) because it may be difficult to upload pictures on slow internet connections. In a pinch, you can also burn CDs as backups and mail them home or use a free upload service such as Dropbox.com or Box.net.

• If possible, get a camera that accepts non-proprietary batteries. You can purchase “AA” batteries anywhere, but finding a place to charge your strange battery might be another story.

• The Lithium style AA batteries are definitely worth the extended life you will get from them.

• Don’t be afraid to buy used.  Unless you intend to blow up prints to 8×10, a 4 megapixel camera will take any picture you care about.

• Thanks to tight competition, prices have come down on cameras.

Misc Trip Purchases

Outdoor and specialty shops are much more expensive than regular department stores. Visit one of the big chains to get misc items such as travel bottles and pocket knives first, then proceed to the outdoor store.

You will need plastic bags with zippers, 1 quart and 1 gallon sized, for packing. These are handy for electronics, bottles, books, and small items.

It is more cost effective to buy regular sized items and fill small bottles than to purchase the “travel sized” versions of things like shampoo and soap. The extra will come in handy at home or for your next trip!

Choosing a money belt

Choose a money/passport carrying option that is best for you. Most travelers opt for a money belt that goes around your waist inside of your clothing.

• The idea is to conceal your money, so don’t buy black! Opt for a flesh or neutral color instead.

• Choose something that is comfortable. This might be the first thing you put on in the morning and the last thing you take off at night.

• It should rest flat under your shirt, so that there is not an outline.

• Some nicer belts offer anti-microbial materials which are handy because it probably will get sweaty.

• Do yourself and the world a favor – don’t reach into it in public! Nothing is more repulsive than seeing a grown man at a checkout counter lift his shirt to make a payment.

The worst thing you can do is go to a giant retail store with hungry eyes and an account full of fresh travel funds. Talk to other travelers, check backpacker forums, then make a list. Don’t blow your money on a trip purchase – save those funds for the road!

Go to Step 9: Packing a Backpack

Backpacking Packing List – continued

Backpacking Packing List – continued

Go back to What to pack backpacking – part 1

Backpacking Packing List Misc:

• Book – for inevitable delays. Just bring one, it can be traded with other travelers or in bookshops for something new. If its new, leave the price tag on it for a bargaining advantage later. Put a rubber band around the book to keep the cover from being bent inside your bag.
• Journal – for recording your adventures of course
• Small notepad – separate from your journal to keep in a pocket for recording other travelers’ emails and also writing bus schedules, directions, and things you don’t need in forever in your journal.
• Sink stopper – for doing laundry, get the big floppy universal kind from a home goods stores or drug stores.
• Alarm clock – If your watch alarm isn’t loud enough, get a small travel one to help you avoid running to catch early buses and trains.
• Toilet paper – take it off the cardboard roll so it takes up less space. You will DEFINITELY need this in all parts of Asia. Put it inside something waterproof.
• Anti-bacterial hand gel – Public transportation and airports are germ-havens. Also, a majority of places in Asia will not have ways to wash your hands after using the toilets.
• Sewing kit – good for repairs. Stick some fishing line in it for making serious backpack or shoe repairs. The safety pins are good for keeping things together and your clothes on the dry-line when its windy.
• Clothes line – parachute or military 550 cord is available from surplus stores, its light and works great. It will be used for hanging up laundry and maybe for hanging items off the ground.
• Torch – flashlight, LED, headlamp, whatever you decide to bring should be reliable, water-resistant and use regular batteries (nothing proprietary or hard to find).
• Sleep sheet – Silk is lighter and protects you better than cotton – bedbugs can still bite you through cotton. This is invaluable for dodgey beds and to keep warm at night. It should be wide enough for two.
• Hat – It doesn’t have to be stylish or Derby-quality, just something to keep the sun off while on the beach or in the field. Comes in handy to sleep under too. A bandanna can substitute.
• Duct tape – No explanation needed for this one. Break a piece off of a pencil and wrap some duct tape around it to save room.
• Compass – You do not need a huge survey-quality one, just something small and simple for knowing which direction to turn at an intersection when you are looking at a map. The small round ones with the pin found in the camping section of department stores work great.
• Knife – You don’t need a 37 option Swiss Army knife, just something small, light, and sharp for cutting tape, cord, fruit, etc.
• Small Waterproof bag – Put your electronics and journal inside of it in your daybag in case you are caught in the rain. It can be used temporarily for fruit, garbage, laundry, etc as well.
• Guidebook – only buy and carry the one for your first destination. The others can be obtained from travelers or shops for cheap once you are there. Feel free to rip out huge sections for places you will never visit to save weight and room.
• Sunscreen – If the locals are brown skinned, they probable don’t use it and it will be expensive / expired.
• Lip Balm – hard to find locally sometimes and a must for hot places. Don’t get the round kind that requires a dirty finger to be stuck in it!
• Insect repellent – You can buy small bottles of 100% DEET to save weight, just be careful with it. You can usually find mozzie coils locally.
• Condoms – Brands are extremely limited and the local ones have a failure rate that is frightening due to the hot weather and poor storage techniques.
• Ear Plugs – Get the small kind that you stuff in your ears. They come with a case to keep them clean. Good for noisy rooms above pubs and bus rides
• Sunglasses – Don’t take anything over $10! They will most likely get broken or lost along the way.

• Batteries – they are heavy so just bring a couple. Try to make all your gear use the same battery type.

Optional luxuries to put on your backpacking list:

Things that you can live without while backpacking but are nice to have along sometimes!

• Sharpie marker – Use it for marking CDs, gear, or to make a sign if you run out of money!
• Lithium batteries for your camera – If your camera uses AA style batteries, the life-span of the more expensive Lithium batteries is definitely worth it when compared to regular alkalines.
• Headphones splitter – Great if you carry an MP3 player. You will be surprised how many times you will be sitting with a new friend on a bus, train, or on the beach and wish that you could share the same music together.
• Chem light – glow sticks, light sticks, whatever you want to call them. Can be used as a lifesaving light source if you are caving and your light fails. Also can work as an emergency signal in the dark, and might even come in handy at a rave or party. Way cheaper to order from a surplus website.
• Memory stick – (USB flash drive) Good for grabbing pics quickly from other travelers, as well as MP3s, and maybe backing up your own pictures on the fly.
• Whistle – carry in your pocket for peace of mind when walking dark beaches and streets. It gets attention which is exactly what an attacker does not want.
• Bandanna – the Army ones are large enough to use as a sweat rag, emergency bandage, cleanup rag, filter over your mouth for dusty roads, you name it.
• Travel towel – the small ones roll up very compact and although it takes a while, will dry your entire body. NOT good for running down the hostel hallway because it won’t cover your bum!
• Item for hiding emergency cash – don’t buy a false rock. Get creative and make your own from some common item like a dental floss box or makeup container. Fold up currency and hide it inside, then put it in your regular backpack in an unexpected place in case your daybag is lost or stolen.
• Additional passport photos – will save money, time, and headache when you cross borders and apply for visas on arrival. You can get an entire sheet made at printing shops for cheap.

What NOT to pack for backpacking:

• Travel pillow – An empty pillow case can be stuffed with laundry or whatever to form an instant pillow rather than carrying a bulky “travel pillow”. You can also put it around dodgey pillows that are provided in guest houses to keep the bugs out of your hair.
• Camping gear – You don’t need camping gear unless a big part of your stays will be camping. Gear can be bought or hired at almost all national parks or from other travelers that are finished with their camping.
• Water bottle – Although SIGG bottles are nice, just refill plastic bottles once you are finished with them. You will not cry as much if it gets lost or left behind.
• Water purification – Water is a necessity of life, so it is guaranteed that wherever you are going, the locals have already figured out a way to make water safe. You can purchase very cheap bottled water almost everywhere, pumps and filters are expensive gadgets.
• Camping Stove – Expensive, takes up room, and it can be difficult to fly with the fuel, or to buy it at your destination. Even on an extended trek, your guide will provide a way to cook food.
• Snorkel gear – You can hire it at your destination for cheap on days that you want to use it.
• Laundry detergent – use shampoo or buy it at your destination for cheap.
• Hammock – these will be available in the islands to use or to buy for cheaper than they are available in the West.
• MP3 player speakers – Nice but takes up space. Let someone else bring them.
• Laptop – unless you plan to do some serious daily travel writing, this will be a heavy and expensive liability that could be mishandled and maybe stolen. Internet shops are abundant, you will have no problem finding access.  Carrying and having to care for a laptop will change your trip.
• Mosquito coils – In any area that has a mozzie proglem,  you will be able to buy coils cheaper than at home.
• Weapon – including pepper spray, will only get you busted at some checkpoint or screening when you least expect. Dont risk it.  Its not as dangerous out there as you think.
• Electronic language translator – forget about it.
• GPS – it is tempting, but leave this expensive gadget at home. They eat batteries and sometimes part of the fun is getting lost anyways!
• Mosquito net – in any troublesome mozzie area these will be available for a fraction of the cost in the Western world.
• Travel underwear – expensive and makes very little difference anyways. Do you really want to squeeze a couple extra days from those undies you are wearing?

Conclusion:

As usual, this backpacking packing list is just a suggestion based on my experiences as a long term backpacker. You will have other comfort needs I am sure, but remember the basics and before you pack anything, ask yourself these three questions:

1) Can I live without it?
2) Will I cry if it gets stolen tomorrow?
3) Can I buy it local?

Read 20 useful things for your vagabonding packing list.

Got some ideas to add?  Send an email or comment on our backpacking packing list!

Backpacking Packing List

Backpacking: What to Pack?

Pack Light!

It’s an old cliche and you have heard it so many times before but it cannot be emphasized enough!

Packing too heavy can literally dictate and shape your entire trip experience.  Little did I realize that I would end up giving and throwing away lots of things I had brought along in my backpack.

I was always taught in the ARMY to be prepared. Unfortunately, extreme preparation equals extreme weight. It is inevitable that your pack will grow as you travel – gifts, souvenirs, local items of clothing…expect to be carrying double what you leave home with by the end of your trip.

Depending on where you are going, chances are you can purchase the same items as needed at your destinations…and depending on the country, they may be significantly cheaper too! So why haul things thousands of miles from home and risk getting them broken, stolen, or lost, when you can buy local and help an economy that probably needs it as well?

Backpacking Packing List Tips:

• Keep in mind that whatever you bring may be stolen or broken at any time
• Unless you are going to the middle of the desert, many items will be available there.
• There is a direct ratio between weight and how much you will enjoy your trip.
• You will not need as many distractions as at home because you will be in a new world

Here are some examples to get your mind working in the right direction. Please use the following backpacking packing list as simply a suggestion. Depending on your preferences and destinations, you will have to make changes to the packing list of course.

Backpacking First Aid Kit:

I ended up using less than half of the first aid items that I brought on my first backpacking trip to Southeast Asia. Out of a box of bandages that I brought along, I consumed a grand total of 3. Instead of trying to prepare for every emergency, take only a few of the very common basics, and then purchase whatever you need. That means several aspirin instead of the whole bottle, 3 bandages instead of the box – you get the idea.

Of course it is not your responsibility, but it is a good feeling to have something that a fellow traveler needs and to take care of their health.

Here are some basic first-aid Items that I found very valuable:

• Liquid bandage – for painting on small scrapes and cuts to avoid infections which comes easy in backpacking environments
• Anti-diarrhea pills – if you eat the local food it is almost inevitable because of the bacterial differences of different continents. Brands containing Loperamide are the most effective. Remember, only take them during long moves or emergencies, otherwise use food to control your stomach.
• Tweezers – the super pointy medical kind, for popping blisters, removing ticks, etc
• Alcohol prep pads – for disinfecting skin, the tweezers above, bug bites, etc
• Motion sickness pills – even if you don’t get it often, offer them to other travelers that do. Dramamine can also double as an emergency sleeping pill because of the drowsy side-effects
• Bandages – Bandaids, plasters, whatever you want to call them. Just bring a few, you can also use them to put on hot spots to prevent blisters
• Ibuprofen – Good to stop swelling and hangovers
• Benadryl pills – if you have any sensitivity at all, it is very possible you will come into contact with plants or new materials that will make a rash
• Multivitamins – not required but nice to keep your immune system up in case you get stuck eating a non-varied local diet.

Remember to bring enough of your prescription medication to last the trip. Keep it in the original, labeled bottles to avoid raising eyebrows, and keep a copy of the prescription with all the pills. If you wear contacts, bring your glasses along as well for backup in dusty areas.

For more details about medicine and pills you might want to carry, read abouttravel first aid kits.

Clothing:

Backpacking Packing List Pointers:

• If you want to travel light, plan to wash your laundry in the sink often. Use the “wash one, wear one” theory.
• Swim trunks that are not too colorfully obnoxious can double as your second pair of shorts.
• Socks and underwear can be washed and dried quickly in the sink so take less.
• Choose polyester, rayon, nylon, and other materials over cotton whenever possible because they dry faster.
• Blue Jeans weigh a ton and dry slower than Christmas, leave them!
• Be just a tad more conservative in choosing messages on shirts. It may be easier to offend local people than you think.
• One good shirt can be included for going out, but make sure it can survive without a proper ironing!
• Tans, browns, and earth colors are always a good bet because they do not show dirt and stains, don’t attract so many mozzies and insects, and you won’t be as easily spotted by people that make a living hunting tourists.
• Bring a thin, light rain jacket that can also be used as a cover-up on very cold air-con bus rides or at night if the temperature drops.

Jewelery:

Leave that $300 Swiss Army watch at home. You do not want to attract attention to yourself by wearing expensive or flashy looking bracelets, rings, or necklaces. It will definitely get you higher prices from merchants or maybe worse! A good cheap watch with a light and an alarm is very helpful.

Female travelers might want to bring a fake gold wedding band along to wear in certain countries like India or Egypt because it takes some pressure off the advances from locals.

Shoes:

One pair of “proper” shoes and flip-flops is all you need. The shoes should be good enough for trekking and scrambling, and be dark enough to wear out in case you go to a club that requires proper shoes. Your flip-flops will work for everything else. Leave the $60 Teva’s at home, take CHEAP flip-flops or buy some locally! In Southeast Asia shoes have to be left outside whenever you enter a public place and it is very common to have them disappear if someone was needing an upgrade.

Backpacking Packing List: Toiletries

• Liquids are heavy, so bring small bottle sizes of everything, then buy local.
• Travel bottles are a rip-off. Buy the full size equivalent and then fill small bottles.
• Put ALL liquid items into a Ziplock bag and then into a waterproof toilet bag. Airplane pressure changes make them ooze
• Don’t bring glass perfume bottles.
• You WILL want some kind of body spray or cologne for those missed showers.
• Shampoo can double as soap and also laundry detergent in a pinch, so choose a clear one without too strong of a fragrance if possible.
• Take anti-bacterial soap to keep bug bites and scrapes in check.
• Men, leave the electric razor and charger at home – just bring along a good razor with some replacement blades – or do as many travelers do and just let it go!  The Mach 3 razor is popular all over and you can probably find blades for it, otherwise it is hit or miss once you run out of blades.
• Soap can be lathered into shaving cream if necessary.
• Any body wash or shampoo that smells sweet or fruity will make you an insect’s dream come true.
• Individual face wipes or handy wipes are very useful for times when you have no access to water.
• Bring a small, non-breakable camping mirror because many cheap bungalows and guest houses do not have one in the bathroom.

 

Before you send bewildered comments, please realize that this backpacking packing list pertains to international travel, not “backpacking” the Appalachian Trail, etc.

Continued – Backpacking Packing List part 2

Packing a Backpack

Packing for a backpacking trip:

So you are looking at a packing puzzle. All the stuff you have purchased or want to take is staged on the floor around your backpack and you are wondering how it is all going to fit in there.

Packing a backpack is more of a dark art than a science, and sometimes it takes several passes. Do not assume that the first time you pack is the correct way. Only experience will tell.

Don’t wait until the night before to start packing!

“Even the elephant carries but a small trunk on his journeys” – Henry David Thoreau

Looking for our Backpacking Packing List?

Packing a Backpack

Stage everything first

Unless you are on the run, don’t grab your backpack and start stuffing things inside! Stage everything that you might want to take on the floor in an open area around your backpack. This will give you an opportunity to eyeball what you will be carrying, commit it to memory, and eliminate anything not absolutely necessary for your backpacking trip.

Assume that your backpack will be mistreated in ways you never thought possible!

I have seen people stand on someone else’s backpack to reach the luggage rack on top of a bus. Your bag will be thrown from the top of buses and trucks, rained on, slept and sat on (by you), and abused like never before. Fragile items need to be packed with the most protection possible.

• Liquids and electronics should always be inside of ziplock or waterproof bags.

Assume that your backpack will get wet.

Anything of value, books, and electronics should be in zippered sandwich bags. Waterproof covers for backpacks are expensive luxuries if you don’t want to waterproof all the contents. The problem is that they only work when they are on. If a tropical storm pops up while your pack is sitting in the luggage hold of a bus or boat, it is going to get wet!

• Stick a large garbage bag into one of the outside pockets on your backpack so you can at least try to cover it during a storm.
  

Pack modular in “kits”

You do not want to have to dig through a giant rucksack looking for a tiny sewing kit. Organize objects in the way that you know you will need them and then put them inside smaller bags and containers. Preferably the smaller bags will be very soft instead of rigid or shaped, water resistant, and pliable so that you can cram them into your pack.

Never, ever, ever, pack to capacity!

Packing a backpack to its full capacity is a disaster in progress.  When you set out, your backpack should be no more than 75% full. You will most definitely end up carrying gifts, buying cheap objects along the way, etc and your pack will always grow. Your dirty laundry will take up way more room than nicely rolled and folded clothing and when you run out of travel sized toiletries, you may end up having to buy the full sized equivalents.

• Leave yourself some room!

No Wasted Space

Real estate inside your rucksack is expensive!  Make every use of space possible.  Stuff things inside shoes, remove items from their packaging, whatever it takes to take full advantage of the room that you are already using.

Pack larger and heavier objects first

Heavy objects such as shoes and books should be as low in the backpack as possible and as close to your back as possible so that they do not pull the backpack away from you. Pack larger items first, then stuff the empty spaces around them with smaller bags and misc objects so that no room is wasted.

Keep in mind, when choosing a packing order, how often you will want to access certain things. For instance, your sleep sheet or bedding can go in the bottom because you will only need it once a day.

Your pack should be comfortable

You should be able to wear your pack and walk around for at least 2 hours without getting sore.

You can save a lot of money by simply walking from bus and train stations that are usually on the edge of town to the main square. You may have to wear your pack while standing in a long line, maybe in the hot sun (or the rain). When you are finished packing, it should feel like a natural extension of your body, secure, and weight balanced so that you can move and walk like you normally would.

• Your backpack should never be taller than you, you should be able to look at the ceiling without hitting your head!
• Do the “jump test” to see if anything wobbles
  

Packing a backpack: The “one bag” theory

Lots of travelers carry a large rucksack and a smaller daybag. If you travel light enough, you can put the daybag down inside of your rucksack so that you only have one backpack to strap on when walking places. Otherwise, you will have to wear the smaller bag on your front, making you look like a pregnant marsupial of sorts. You will be a very happy person if you only have to carry one bag – and other travelers will drool in jealousy!

The alternative is to travel with a small enough backpack (45L or less) that can be used as your day bag as well.

What to bring?

When you are looking at loads of potential travel gear and goodies, hopefully all neatly staged on the floor next to your backpack, you will have quite a mental struggle about what to take and what to leave.

• Don’t “what-if” yourself into carrying a lot of useless survival gear
• You will not need many distractions while on the road – just take what you need to live
• You can always buy stuff locally

Remember the golden rule for packing a backpack - When in doubt, leave it out!

Unless you are going trekking in Antarctica, you will be able to buy most of what you need to survive on the road. If you are traveling in developing countries, you will probably find what you need cheaper and may help a struggling economy out as well!

Do not bring anything priceless or irreplaceable. Leave that watch your grandfather gave you behind. Anything you bring will be exposed to the elements, mistreatment, and even thieves if you are unlucky.

Do not bring a lot of clothing. Fashion will be a non-issue completely in developing countries. You can wash laundry regularly in the sink. If you feel that you do not have enough to wear, buy some local garb for cheap!

• Think “wear one, wash one”.  You really only need 2 outfits, maybe 3.

Backpack Security

Never pack valuable things in the outer pockets of a backpack.  When it is on your back, it is very difficult to feel a deft hand reaching inside while you walk down the street or stand on a crowded train platform.

Some travelers opt for a “packsafe” which is a metal cover that protects your backpack from being “slashed” by a thief with a razor blade and quick hand. Unfortunately these covers attract attention and declare that you have something valuable inside worth protecting!

Read this article on keeping your backpack safe.

Aside from your regular packing list, you will want to include the following misc items hidden inside your large rucksack somewhere:

 
• Copies of your credit cards and passport – in case you are mugged or lose your money belt
• Copy of your travel insurance info
• Emergency cash in US dollars hidden somewhere not so obvious
• Card with your contact info taped or sewn inside (in case the outside tag breaks off or is removed)

 

Beyond the backpack

Some useful things you will want to carry in your money belt or in a daybag in case your rucksack is stowed or not handy:

 
• One anti-diarrhea pill
• One motion sickness pill
• Couple of passport photos (for border crossing visas)
• Travel insurance contact information
• Photocopy of passport for yourself
• Copies of your passport to use for motorbike rental, checkins, etc
• Condom
• Emergency contact information card in case you get hurt

 

Backpack Packing List

Use our handy backpacking packing list as a good base, and then add or remove items to customize your trip. Everyone travels differently, so use the list to get your creative packing chi flowing!

Go to Step 10: Before Leaving Home

Before Leaving Home

“Travel is not really about leaving our homes, but leaving our habits.”- Pico Lyer

This is the moment you have been working on for months (maybe even years)! Don’t spend the long flight second guessing yourself about what you forgot to do before you left home. Most likely, you DID forget some things – but it will not be the end of the world and they should not stop you from having the adventure of a lifetime.

Here are a few ideas for things to do before leaving home:

Get a haircut.

True, haircuts will be much cheaper on the road….but the default haircut for men in a developing country is to get a standard issue Asian round buzz cut.

Fill your gas tank.

A full tank is less likely to gather condensation if your car is parked for a long time. Also, you can almost count on gas costing more when you come home months later. If you will be gone over 30 days, add fuel stabilizer to the tank (different stuff than fuel injector cleaner) and have someone start it every couple of weeks to keep your battery from dying.

Switch off your car insurance.

Once your car is parked, call your auto insurance provider and tell them to put your plan into “park” mode, which covers you only for theft. It will greatly reduce your rates while gone. Only do this if no one else will be driving it!

Call everyone before leaving home.

This may be your last chance to make calls hassle free before leaving home!

Confirm your flights.

If you bought your tickets months in advance, it is a good idea to confirm your itinerary for any flight changes.

Don’t add stuff to your pack!

As you sit around the final day at home and second guess yourself, it is tempting to stuff little extras into your pack and negate the hard work of packing light. Don’t do it!

Take a “before” picture before leaving home.

Just for fun, have someone take a picture of you wearing your pack, getting ready for your big life adventure. I could visibly see a difference in myself when I returned. No joke.

Suspend your phone.

If you are not carrying it with you, contact your mobile phone provider and see if it is possible to suspend your service or change your plan to the lowest possible rate to save money while gone. Sometimes these are called “emergency modes” and lower your premium drastically – just don’t make any calls once you set that up!

Relax.

All your work and effort is about to pay off big. It can be stressful getting ready to leave behind everything that you know and jumping into the unknown. All first time international travelers go through the doubt, culture shock, and homesickness. It will all seem so insignificant in the years to come.

The Journey Begins!

 

 

“A journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step” – Lao Tzu

Life on the Road

Life in the field while vagabonding can take on a whole new meaning. Tasks that were once mundane and uninteresting are suddenly an adventure. Your mind will stay sharp and your senses will be on fire as you absorb this strange new world around you.

Stay flexible

The surest way to mess up your plan while vagabonding is to make a plan in the first place. Don’t be afraid to change your time line, order of countries, or anything else. It is your trip, and no one knows what the future holds. Maybe you will fall in love with an Australian and end up going there next instead of Europe. Maybe you will meet a group of likable people heading to Everest for a base camp trek. You could miss a world of potential adventure by staying rigid and sticking to a plan that was made at home.  Plans are for sissies!

Talk to everyone

Make it a point to talk to everyone, locals and travelers, at every opportunity. Approach people everywhere possible. The experience is about the people that you meet, not just some snappy pictures of landscapes. Travel is also perpetual, you may end up with friends in dozens of countries that are inviting you to come stay for free!

Slow down

Do not set limits on how much time you plan to stay in a particular country or region. Slow down, align yourself with the environment, and absorb what an area has to offer. You will feel when it is time to move on inside your gut, don’t let a calendar tell you when to do so. Don’t get into a race to check areas off a list. It is better to have truly learned the culture in one country rather than to say you “did” five countries.

Stay positive

Not every day on the road will be a dream. There will be times when you are uncomfortable, homesick, frustrated, or culture shocked. Remember that these are just temporary and psychological conditions. Keep your chin up and always put yourself into positions for good things to happen. You will be surprised at how often dire situations (such as being lost or not knowing anyone) work out for the best.

Log your journey

Keeping a public blog is great, but carry a small personal journal as well. Record your feelings, thoughts, and experiences so that you can re-live your trip in detail later. You will see so many new things and meet so many new people, it will be impossible to retain it all in memory. Write things down!

Be responsible

Remember that while you are abroad, you are representing your home country, backpackers, and maybe even the entire Western culture. Don’t be rude to locals. Don’t treat them as the people that are just there to ensure you have a good trip experience. Take care of the environment and remember that you are a guest in these places. Don’t lose your cool during negotiations or the inevitable bus breakdown – life moves at a different speed in other cultures.

Respect locals

Keep in mind that you may be on “holiday”, enjoying a big adventure, but this is still daily life for the locals. Many are working hard to survive and they may never have the option to enjoy travel. It may seem like everyone just wants to get into your money belt sometimes. These are human beings that want to enjoy life just as you are, and they were born in a place that makes dreams harder to reach.

Promote travel

People, Americans in particular, are programmed to think that long term travel is a lifestyle only for the rich. Come home and share the news, break the stereotypes, and encourage others that are unsure about taking that first step.

Read about my feelings when I finished my first year of backpacking travel.